Body fluid sampler
A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment—and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.
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This application is a continuing application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/233,046 filed Aug. 30, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,624,882 which is a continuing application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/723,339, filed on Nov. 27, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,522, which is a continuing application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/264,461, filed Mar. 8, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,889 which issued on Nov. 28, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/706,663, filed on Sep. 6, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,310 which issued on Mar. 9, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/525,390 filed Sep. 8, 1995, now abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/525,942 filed Sep. 8, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,367 which issued on Mar. 9, 1999, which application(s) and patents are incorporated herein by reference.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to an apparatus for testing body fluid constituents. More particularly, this invention pertains to a sampler for use in collecting body fluids such as interstitial fluid.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, there are numerous examples of apparatus for testing and determining the level of constituents in human blood. A great deal of attention has been directed to the development of techniques and apparatus for measuring blood glucose.
As noted in commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 08/321,305 and 08/136,304 (corresponding to PCT International Publication No. WO95/10223 published Apr. 20, 1995 on International Application No. PCT/US94/11580 and incorporated herein by reference), the determination of the level of a constituent of blood can be achieved by measuring the level of that constituent in other body fluids such as interstitial fluid. The aforementioned patent applications and international publication disclose a method and apparatus for a minimally invasive technique for collecting a sample of interstitial fluid through use of an extremely small needle which penetrates into the dermal layer of the skin in order to collect a low blood or blood-free sample of interstitial fluid. The collected interstitial fluid can then be analyzed for a determination of the level of constituents within the fluid. For example, the collected interstitial fluid can be analyzed for an amount of glucose with the determined amount being representative of the amount of glucose contained within the patient's blood.
The aforementioned applications and international publication disclose the use of a ring (item 60 in
In the collection of interstitial fluid, it is desirable to increase the speed at which a sample is collected. In the absence of mechanical or other assistance, the rate at which interstitial fluid is collected through a small diameter tube or needle is very slow. Preferably, patients utilizing such equipment for home use will be provided with a system which collects interstitial fluid at a rapid pace to ensure that a patient does not remove the needle too early in its application. Also, it is important to provide for techniques to increase a volume of interstitial fluid being collected through a needle.
When collecting any body fluid through use of a needle, it is important that the needle be a disposable item in order to prevent re-use of the needle. Such re-use can result in the transmission of disease. Where the apparatus is to be used in a patient's home by the patient, the apparatus should be simple to use and with the needle incorporated in a disposable item. Since the needle is incorporated in a disposable item, it is important that the disposable item be amenable to low-cost manufacture. Also, in order to test the interstitial fluid, the interstitial fluid collection mechanism must be coupled with an analytic mechanism for analyzing the collected fluid. Where such a device is to be used in home by low-skilled patients, it is important that the sampler and the analytic portion of the device be mutually configured to ensure that the sampler is coupled to the apparatus in a repeatable and reliable manner to minimize errors resulting from use of the apparatus by untrained patients.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sampler is disclosed for use in a body fluid collection apparatus where the collection apparatus has a light source for generating a testing light and a light detector for detecting light. The light source and the detector are contained within the apparatus in a predetermined alignment to define a light path between the source and the detector. The apparatus further includes an opening of predetermined geometry to define an access to the light path. The sampler includes a main body having a handle and a sample end. The sample end has an external mating geometry which mates with the predetermined geometry of the opening of the apparatus. Therefore, the sample end can be inserted into the opening in a predetermined alignment such that the sampler may be repeatably inserted within the opening in the predetermined alignment with a sample location of the sample end positioned within the light path. A body fluid collection apparatus is carried on the sampler. The body fluid collection apparatus includes a needle sized to protrude beyond the housing. The needle protrudes a distance selected for the needle to penetrate into a body fluid-laden skin layer when the housing is urged against the skin layer by the user. An absorbent medium is carried on the sampler in fluid flow communication with the needle for body fluid to flow from the needle onto the medium. The medium is positioned at the sample location.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSWith reference now to the various drawing figures in which identical elements are numbered identically throughout, a description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be shown. While the invention will be described with reference to an apparatus for collecting interstitial fluid to test for glucose within the interstitial fluid, it will be appreciated that the apparatus can be used for testing any body constituent which may be contained within interstitial fluid.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is disclosed with reference to use of a penetrating needle and an absorbing membrane such as that shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 08/321,305 and 08/136,304 (and corresponding PCT International Publication No. WP 95/10223, dated Apr. 20, 1995 on International Application No. PCT/US94/11580, incorporated herein by reference). With reference to
The present invention pertains to a testing apparatus which includes a needle 10 disposed in fluid flow communication with an absorbent membrane 12 both in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned PCT International Publication No. WO95/10223.
A. First Described Embodiment
The present invention is directed to an apparatus 1–6) for collecting and testing interstitial fluid. The apparatus 20 includes a main housing 22 (shown in
Main housing 22 is shown only in section in
The base 24 is separately shown in
The collar 26 is separately shown in
The shell 28 is separately shown in
The cylindrical body 60 has at its end opposite flange 62 a reduced diameter portion 64 which is coaxial with the main cylindrical body 60. The reduced diameter portion 64 terminates at a first pressure ring 66 with the plane of the opening of the pressure ring 66 being generally perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of body 60. An elongated slot 68 extending generally in the direction of the axis of body 60 is provided extending through the shell 28 with the slot 68 extending substantially the length of the body 60 and substantially the length but not entirely through the sidewall of the reduced diameter portion 64 such that ring 66 is an uninterrupted ring. However, a segmented ring or other incomplete ring would be satisfactory.
The optics housing 30 is separately shown in
The main body 70 includes a first axial slot 74 extending partially through a distal end 75 of the body 70. Disposed axially spaced from slot 74 is a second slot 76 extending through the main body 70. A pin receiving hole 77 extends through body 70 perpendicular to slot 76. Ninety degrees offset from slots 74, 76 are access holes 78 in communication with a hollow interior 80 of cylinder 72. Ninety degrees offset from slot 74 are pockets 82, 83 with axes of the pockets 82, 83 in coaxial alignment with one another and in communication with the slot 74. The base end 75 has a ramped ridge 79 extending parallel to hole 77.
In the assembly, as best shown in
As shown in
A lock pin 94 (shown separately in
As shown in
The needle 10 protrudes beyond the surface 106 a distance equal to a desired penetration of the needle 10 into a patient's skin layer. As disclosed in the aforementioned international publication, distance of protrusion of needle 10 is about 1.5 mm to ensure protrusion of the needle 10 into but not through a dermal layer of a patient's skin. At the sampling end 102, the main body 100 is provided with a relief 108 surrounding a hole 110 formed through the body. The hole 110 is in communication with a proximal end 11 of the needle 10. Accordingly, an absorbent material 12 such as the material 210′ shown in
The hole 110 is positioned at a sampling location such that the hole 110 is in the light path between the light source 90 and the light detector 92 when the sampler 32 is placed within the apparatus 20 as will be described. The end 102 is sized to be received within the aligned slots 68, 74 of shell 28 and optics housing 30, respectively.
The main body 100 is provided with an arcuate rib 113 sized and shaped to abut an exterior surface of is the optics housing 30 on both sides of the slot 74 and to curve beneath the base 75. A latching member 112 is connected to the body 100. The latching member 112 pivots at a point of connection to the body 100 and includes a lever arm 114 exposed at the handle portion 101 such that the lever member 114 may be depressed manually by a user. The latch 112 further includes a latching end 116 sized and positioned to be received within the hole 76 of the optics housing 30. The latching end 116 includes a detent 118 (
With the construction thus described, a sampling end 102 may be placed within the aligned slots 74, 68. over-insertion is avoided by reason of the sampling end 102 butting up against the interior of the optics housing 30. Further, the lock pin 94 received within the detent 118 and the ridge 79 in detent 117 ensure that the sampler 32 is not under-inserted into the slots 74, 76 by providing a user with a positive feedback indicating that the lock pin 94 has been received within the detent 118 indicating the sampler 32 is in the predetermined alignment. Accordingly, upon receipt of such feedback, the user is assured that the sampling location 110 is in alignment with the light path between the light source 90 and the light detector 92.
The first spring 84 urges the shell away from the base 24 such that the full length of the piston 104 and needle 10 may clear the first pressure ring 66 and be inserted through the slot 68 as the sampler 32 is loaded into apparatus 20.
Due to the locking at detents 118 and 117, sampler 32 is held in a predetermined alignment with the membrane 12 in the light path between light source 90 and light detector 92. To facilitate placement of sampler 32 within apparatus 20, the sampler 32 and apparatus 20 have mating external geometries. Namely, in the rest position of
Upon insertion, the mating geometry of sampler 32 and optics housing 30 insure the membrane 12 is accurately positioned. The ribs 113 acting against the external surface of optics housing 30 together with ribs 95, 79 received within detents 118, 117 securely couple the sampler 32 to optics housing 30 in accurate alignment and with the sampler 32 movable with the optics housing 30. As the optics housing 30 moves relative to shell 28 and collar 26, the sizing of slots 58, 61 and 68 avoid interference with movement of the sampler 32.
Upon initial placement of the apparatus against a patient's skin 200 (
It has been found that this sequence of action significantly increases the rate at which interstitial fluid is collected through the needle 10 and deposited on the membrane 12 within the sampler 32.
After full penetration of the needle 10, internal circuitry may then be actuated to operate the light source 92. Absorption of the testing light through the collected sample provides an indication of the amount of the constituent contained on the sample.
In a preferred embodiment, springs 84, 86 are preloaded. Namely, in the rest position of
As shown best in
It will be appreciated that through use of the present invention the rate at which interstitial fluid is collected through the needle 10 is greatly enhanced over that shown in the aforementioned International Publication No. WO95/10223. Further, the sampling apparatus is contained within the low-cost sampler 32 which can be readily disposed of after each use. The mating geometry of the sampler 32 with the internal geometry of the apparatus 20 ensures that the sampler 32 is placed within the apparatus 20 in a predetermined alignment with the sampling location in the light path between the source 90 and the detector 92. The sampling apparatus also ensures a proper positive locking position which may be released easily by an operator and the entire operation of insertion of the sampler within the apparatus and removal of the sampler for subsequent disposal is easily accomplished for a patient.
B. Second Described Embodiment
The piston housing 400 is retained in a stationary position (relative to tool handle 22 of
Best shown in
An optics housing 430 is secured to the optical core 420 for movement therewith. The optics housing 430 carries an optical source 432 as well as optical detectors 434 and a beam splitter 436 (shown only in
An enhanced design sampler 410 includes a handle end 409 and a sample end 411. The handle end 409 is a hollow sampler housing. The interior 500 of end 409 is sized to completely receive the sample end 411. The housing 409 is sized to be received within the slot 424.
As best shown in
The sample end 411 can pivot from the storage position of
In the storage position of
In the sample position of
When in the sample position, flanges 514 on the sample end 411 oppose and abut against a stop surface 516 on the optics housing 430, (
The sample end 411 is pivoted to the sample position of
After a fluid sample has been collected and/or tested, the patient can remove the tool from the arm such that the components return to the relative positioning shown in
The interior 500 of the housing contains a retention spring 524 on the housing 409. The retention spring 524 acts against an arcuate surface 526 on the sample end 411. The surface 526 terminates at a detent 528 to receive the retention spring 524. Therefore, when the sample end 411 is in the storage position of
When the sample end 411 is in the sample position of
Having described this second improved embodiment, it will be noted that the needle 510 and the membrane 504 are fully protected when the sampler 410 is not inserted into the apparatus. The membrane 504 and the needle 510 are only deployed after the housing 409 is initially inserted into the apparatus (i.e., into slot 424) with the cam pin 442 engaging the first cam follower 520.
C. Additional Enhanced Embodiments
In the embodiment of
The present embodiment of
Having disclosed the present invention and a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. It is intended that such modifications and equivalents shall be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.
Claims
1. A method for collecting body fluid from the skin, said method comprising:
- providing a sampling device comprising a base, a sample needle having an axis and a distal end, a first pressure surface distinct from said base and at least partially surrounding said needle in spaced relation thereto, wherein said needle and said first pressure surface are movable relative to one another and to said base along a path of travel generally parallel to said axis with said needle, and a second pressure surface at least partially surrounding said needle, the second pressure surface fixed relative to said needle and movable relative to said base; said second pressure surface axially spaced from said distal end of said needle by a distance approximating a desired penetration of said needle into said skin;
- urging said first pressure surface against said skin with a force sufficient to define a pressurized zone of interstitial fluid opposing said needle; and
- biasing said first pressure surface to a position wherein said distal end of said needle is recessed behind said first pressure surface.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- urging said needle and said second pressure surface distally of said first pressure surface wherein the needle penetrates the skin until said second pressure surface is caused to contact the skin.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising biasing the second pressure surface to a position wherein said first pressure surface is recessed behind said second pressure surface.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein said first pressure surface is initially biased with about three to about four pounds per inch and said second pressure surface is initially biased with about one to about two pounds per inch.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting body fluid within the skin and transporting it through the needle to a testing area.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 3, 2003
Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
Patent Publication Number: 20040049130
Assignee: InTeg, Inc. (St. Paul, MN)
Inventors: John P. Sopp (White Bear Lake, MN), Scott T. Latterell (Minneapolis, MN), Paul D. Brinda (Robbinsdale, MN), Timothy J. Erskine (Sandy, UT)
Primary Examiner: Michael P. Stafira
Application Number: 10/613,117
International Classification: A61B 5/00 (20060101); A61B 17/14 (20060101); A61B 17/32 (20060101); A65D 81/00 (20060101);